Economic One-board Desk for CNC or Jigsaw

Hello everyone! This is my entry for the „Flat Pack Contest“ on Instructable, in which interesting designs all about cool stuff which come from a board or panel of a random material are presented. Of course, many other objects and applications fall in this category.

DISCLAIMER: Be save around tools, especially around power tools. Wear protective gear where needed. You MAY NOT use these files I've provided for commercial use.

Who are you?

My name is Andrew and I am an Austrian mechanical engineering student from Graz (23 y.o.). But I like to make tangible stuff too. Working with wood or aluminum, electronics or 3D-printed stuff are exactly my thing. Also, sorry for my English skills. :D

Step 1: Considerations

What is your thing?

A very neat but simple thing I came across making was a desk for my home. There were some problems with off-the-shelf desks. I had some wishes, and so, I decided to make it CNC milled, here is why:

· I needed a generally higher desk (about 75 cm or 29 ½ inch) since I am a tall person

· A nice, sturdy desk which is able to be taken apart is awesome in case the desk has to be moved.

· Low part count

· Easy and quick feasibility on the CNC mill

· Only one board of material

The last three reasons are because of the cost of this desk. Long-winded assignments for the carpenter’s CNC mill are very costly, since the operating hours are more expensive than the material itself. If you have more than one board of wood, the cost will explode (student speaking) since they have to take the time to put another board on the mill for your job. It’s only a desk after all.

So, out of what did you make it exactly?

My design is milled on one 17 mm “multiplex” board which is 2,5 m by 1,25 m

It is designed to be put together without (almost any) tools and then, if needed, to be taken apart with completely no tools at all.

What’s so special about it?

For me, the greatest thing about this desk is the file. I sent an E-Mail to my favorite carpenter with the Autocad-file attached and asked, if it is feasible with the materials and the machine he has. You will know that after a few weeks, you get a table ready to be popped together at home.

For manufacturing many more of these desks, all you need is to order in the number of desks you want to make in boards. Also you will know that every desk is assembled quickly and is equally quickly taken apart.

Step 2: Files and Assembly

So how to put it together, then?!

1. At first, look if there is a part missing. If not, sand down all of the edges a little bit.

2. Connect each table leg with another one. Use a rubber mallet. With four screws on each leg, mount the pieces (as shown on the picture). Make sure the screws won’t penetrate the other side!

3. Plug the six bars into the just assembled table sides. Lock the two lower ones with the locking connectors.

4. Now, place the tabletop on the structure. With the four small wooden rectangles fixed to the tabletop, it won’t be able to move anymore and contribute to the stiffening of the table. Done!

When disassembling the table, you don’t need to undo the screws! Just take it apart in the opposite order. You will have: A Tabletop, six bars, two desk sides and four locking connectors ready to be stored away.

Please note: The desk on the photos doesn't have the pieces on the legs yet. In my case, they haven't been milled at this moment.

Step 3: Afterthought

Is it worth it?

In terms of an enjoyable desk which goes easy on your back since it is higher, yes. That’s also true for disassembling. It cost me 200 Euros – maybe you’ll get it a little bit cheaper.

Thank you for reading my instructable! :)
kind regards,

Andrew (Andreas)